So now that summer is just about here, I’m once again pushing some of my neutrals to the back of my closet and making room for some fresh colorful dresses that I think are special and cool! Read to see and shop for a few awesome pieces and how I styled them with some favorite accessories that I already had in my closet.
Read moreCasual Dress Trends I Love + Favorite Black Dress Designers to Shop
These past few weeks will definitely go down in history. And, as I continue to educate myself in doing better, I am committed to the on-going support of black businesses, in the lifestyle category, on my platform. So, instead of only sharing my favorite dress trends, I want to also highlight some amazing black women dress designers to shop and support from my growing Hot List as well. I also added a selection of dresses from Target to include their collaborations with Cushnie, Lisa Marie Fernandez, Love Shack Fancy, and more. (Scroll down).
As summer progresses, it looks like we may be able to start responsibly socializing (hopefully in small get-togethers, six feet apart, with masks on). I think it’s a good time to break out of our sweats and leggings to make way for cute dresses - a refreshing and welcome change to our recent springtime, stay-at-home looks.
In my latest monthly feature for Who What Wear, We're in Our 50s and Think These 9 Casual Dress Trends Work for Everyone, Janet Gunn, The Grateful Gardenia, and I shared a few favorites that will have you looking forward to getting dressed again. Read on to check out the styles I am currently loving.
Floral
Nothing says springtime like a pretty floral print.
White
A white dress always looks clean and fresh.
Flowy
I love wearing loose-fitting dresses with beautiful prints for an easy beach to lunch summer style.
Long dresses
Midi/Maxi/Kaftan
It’s easy to go with the flow when wearing a chic boho style. Reminiscent of a beachside vacation in a foreign land, we love to wear these dresses all summer long.
Ramy Brook is a talented designer who has always been extremely charitable and is offering a new initiative on her website to help our healthcare heroes.
You can purchase a gift here for our brave and heroic healthcare professionals that will be sent to them from the registry. In addition, Ramy Brook will be gifting 1,000 items to them. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to two charities, No Kid Hungry and Jumpstart, who have been feeding, educating, and caring for our most vulnerable children during this pandemic.
Gift Healthcare Heroes with Ramy Brook’s Healthcare Heroes Registry!
Slip Dress
The perfect dress to slip into when the temps start to climb. Throw on with a sneaker to run around town or with a cute sandal.
Short and flirty
Whether worn with a flat or a heel, a short dress always screams flirty and fun!
Below is a list of some favorite black designers to put on your radar. Click on the links directly to shop.
“Eat well, travel often and dress to inspire,” Fe Noel's design motto definitely speaks to me! Heavily influenced by her Caribbean heritage, she is known for her feminine designs, simple silhouettes, and quality fabrics. Another thing I love about this dress designer… she aims to mentor and empower other women to start their own businesses through her Fe Noel Foundation for young girls who are passionate about entrepreneurship.
Best known for her ready-to-wear styles, her new capsule collection collaborates with artists from her hometown of Detroit and uses ethically-sourced materials in unique prints. Gentle on the earth and fashion-forward in style. So many cute summer finds in this collection!
Island Tribe is a brand where boho and beach style collide! This California-based fashion house practices social good and fair trade with a mission to better the environment with sustainable designs. Their dresses are right on trend with summer’s laid back, free-spirit vibes, and are inspired by peace, love, and blessings. Who couldn’t use more of those three things these days!
An artisan-driven brand focused on sustainability, lemlem is made in Africa and is the inspiration of Supermodel Liya Kebede. Elevating the artisans and expanding jobs across Africa, the designs of her handwoven dresses are perfect to add to your summertime wish list.
Founded in Oakland, California in 2007 by Sherri McMullen, McMullen is a delightfully curated concept shop featuring luxury womenswear by emerging and established designers from around the world. They have a selection of dresses that will take you anywhere from cocktail hour to summer bbq. I love that they support design and manufacturing that can impact communities and empower women with a mission to specifically support African and African-American apparel and home décor designers.
This luxury ready-to-wear brand was established in 2008 and is known for its sophisticated and modern femininity. Their dresses are sleek, minimal and designed to enhance the contour of a woman’s body. While most of their dresses are more suited for cocktail or red-carpet, they are now bringing their timeless designs to Target with a limited-edition dress collection.
If you’re looking for great affordable summer dress options, check out Target's Who What Wear collection, as well as their limited-edition collection featuring acclaimed designers like LoveShackFancy, Cushnie, and Lisa Marie Hernandez...just in time for summer!
Click on the images in the carousel below to shop more of favorite dress styles and designers.
Now available at Target!
I hope you've found some fun, feminine dress styles you're excited to try, as well as discovered a few new designers you may want to add to your closet this season. Be well!
xx Melissa
How to Rock a Print Maxi Dress
I’m usually a denim kind of girl but lately I’ve been super into print maxi dresses and have been wearing them from day to night! These dresses are the perfect transitional pieces and can be worn layered as the weather gets colder. Read on to see some of my favorite print dresses and how to mix and match accessories for this fresh look.
You can shop directly from this post by clicking on all the links and images below.
Grab a Colored Handbag
A bright red handbag was a piece worth investing in this past year! If you don’t have a colorful bag to add that pop of color to your print maxi, I’ve linked some beautiful options below in several different shapes and sizes.
Pair with Booties or Mules
There’s nothing I love more than pairing a long print maxi with a pair of fabulous booties. Lately, I have been wearing them in white and gold, but classic black are always a great option (and you probably already have these in your closet). Throwing on a pair of heels is also the perfect way to fancy up a casual dress!
The white booties I’m wearing below are linked along with some others including some amazing mules.
Throw on a Jacket
Having a jean AND leather jacket is an absolute must for fall. I am always throwing a jacket over my shoulders when I leave the house this time of year. And I love the way they look with a long printed maxi! I’m also a fan of boyfriend blazers and they look good with just about anything! Check out some of the solid boyfriend blazers I’ve linked below that would also work well with any print dress.
I have some more fall inspired looks I’ll be publishing soon, stay tuned for more!
xxMelissa
P.S. I am only 5’4 and used to think that long dresses made me look shorter but actually, it’s the opposite. Get on board with this look and tag me in your print maxi dress posts, I’d love to see how you style them!